It’s an exciting time to be a Potter-head: The final installment of the film series is just three months away, and the second-to-last movie drops on Blu-Ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download today. We caught up with cast members at the recently-opened Harry Potter: The Exhibition in New York.
On growing up in the Potter films
Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley): It’s been a massive and amazing experience. I don’t think we could have asked for any better environment to be in to be learning from others.
On who had a penchant for the set’s souvenirs
Producer David Heyman: Alan Rickman stole more props than anybody …[but] he does give them to charity.
On getting the part
Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid): My children [told me] if I didn’t play Hagrid I would not be allowed home again.
David Thewlis (Remus Lupin): I auditioned actually for Professor Quirrel and didn’t get it. And I’m very glad because he died in the first film.
On their very first days on set
Michael Gambon (Dumbledore): I was just petrified … But you just fight your way through it.
Domhnall Gleeson (Bill Weasley): I nearly wet myself. You can tell [I was] the new guy on set because [I had] a wand in the corner going, “Poof!”
Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood): I wasn’t an actor; I was just a huge fan. I remember [Daniel Radcliffe] knew that I was a nervous wreck … I had to ask him, “Can I just touch you?”
Producer David Baron: [Dan] was always really aware of the newcomers and went to great lengths to make them feel comfortable.
On the action in the eighth movie
Baron: When you have a wand it’s actually quite difficult to stage action in a way that feels suitably strong and aggressive.
Natalia Tena (Tonks): Shouting swear words while you’re using the wand helps.
On what to expect in the final film
Heyman: It’s an action adventure, but what I love most about these films is the characters and the human elements, [and] time is taken for that.
Where the magic happens
The cast and crew of the “Potter” films spoke to Metro at Harry Potter: The Exhibition, on view at Discovery Times Square until September 5. Visitors to the 14,000-square foot exhibition can view actual artifacts from all seven films — including Harry’s acceptance letter from Hogwarts, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’s wand and Gryffindor’s Horcrux-fighting sword — and also participate in the magic, for example, by practicing their Quaffle-tossing skills on a mock Quidditch field. For more information, call 866-987-9692 or visit www.discoveryts.com.
